EDUCATION OVERHAULED

The new policy aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society, making education more holistic and skill-oriented suited to the current needs

Less than 10 days ago, the Union Cabinet announced sweeping changes in the national education policy, a move that should go a long way in aligning education to the requirements of the times.
The new National Education Policy (NEP) is the foundation of a 'new India', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, adding that the policy will help close the gap between education and research.
The NEP proposing sweeping changes in school and higher education. It is a comprehensive framework to guide the development of education in the country.
Modi said, "The New Education Policy is the foundation of the 21st century 'new India'. It will give youth the education and skills they need and will help close the gap between education and research."
Emphasising on the need for critical thinking, Modi said that the current education system focuses on 'what to think' but the new policy will focus on 'how to think'.
"There were no major changes in the education system in the past few years. It had caused a herd mentality in our society, instead of curiosity and imagination," he pointed out.
The Prime Minister also said that there is a need to lay emphasis on "inquiry-based, discovery-based, and analysis-based ways" to help children learn better.
"With changing times, a new global system has risen and hence it was essential for India to change its education system accordingly. Creating a 5+3+3+4 curriculum and replacing the 10+2 structure was a step in this direction," the Prime Minister added.
Alluding to the mother tongue as a mode of teaching, he said that there is a need to make students global citizens, but at the same time, they should also be connected to their roots.
PM Modi said in the present world there is no shortage of information and content. The effort now is to emphasise on 'Inquiry, Discovery and Analytics' based methods for children to learn.
This will increase the urge for learning in children and increase their participation in the classes.
The Prime Minister said every student must get this opportunity to follow their passion.
"A student could follow any degree or course according to his convenience and need and, if they like, they can leave it as well. This is the thinking behind freeing education from choosing streams, multiple entry and exit as well as following a credit-based system. We are moving towards the times where a person is not restrained to one profession throughout their life. For this it is a must for children to constantly upgrade their skills and learn new skills, too."
Leading education leaders have hailed Modi-led recently presented National Education Policy 2020, calling it a "revolution in the In the Indian education system".
 
Rhonita Patnaik
rhonita@khaleejtimes.com